2013 Visitation Service:
Embracing Change in Faith and Hope
The Gathering
Behold, I tell you a mystery:
we shall all be changed
Grace, mercy and peace from God our Father
and the Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
and also with you.
O God, make speed to save us
O Lord, make haste to help us.
Hymn or Worship Song
Gospel Acclamation:
Behold, I tell you a mystery, we shall all
be changed:
Behold, I tell you a mystery,
we shall all be changed.
Beloved, be steadfast,
always excelling in the work of the Lord:
we shall all be changed
In the Lord, your labour is not in vain.
Behold, I tell you a mystery,
we shall all be changed.
(cf 1 Corinthians 15:51, 58)
Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ
according to…
Glory to you, O Lord
1
Matthew 5:13-16 or Matthew 28: 16-end or
John 17:20-end
At the end:
This is the Gospel of the Lord
Praise to you, O Christ
Reflection (Area Dean)
Hymn or worship song
Declaration by Churchwardens and
Sidespersons
The Archdeacon asks wardens and sidespersons to stand
and make the following declaration:
I solemnly and sincerely declare
before God and his people
that I will faithfully and diligently
discharge the duties of my office
for the parish in which I have been chosen
during the period of my appointment
calling at all times on the strength that
God gives me.
Admission of Churchwardens
The wardens are admitted to their office.
2
The Commissioning of the People
The Archdeacon addresses the people of the
Deanery:
Will you continue in the apostles’ teaching
and fellowship,
in the breaking of the bread, and in prayer
for one another and for the communities in
which you serve?
With the help of God, we will.
Will you persevere in resisting evil,
and when you fall into sin, repent and
return to the Lord?
With the help of God, we will.
Will you proclaim by word and example the
good news of God in Christ?
With the help of God, we will.
Will you seek and serve Christ in all
people,
loving your neighbour as yourself?
With the help of God, we will.
Will you acknowledge Christ’s authority over
human society,
by prayer for the world and its leaders,
by defending the weak and seeking peace and
justice?
With the help of God, we will.
May Christ dwell in your hearts through
faith, that you may be rooted and grounded
3
in love and bring forth the fruits of the
Spirit.
Amen.
Prayers
Almighty God,
you have given your Holy Spirit to the
Church
to lead us into all truth:
bless this Deanery of N
with the Spirit’s grace and presence:
keep us steadfast in faith,
and united in hope,
that in all we think, and say, and decide,
and do
we may manifest your glory
and prepare the way of your kingdom;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Be present, O most merciful God,
and guide us through these times of change;
that your church,
in this fleeting world of time and change,
may rest on your eternal changelessness;
4
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen
(adapted from The Promise of His Glory)
Loving God,
you made us your children in baptism:
pour out your Spirit upon us, your people,
in this Diocese of Liverpool.
Build up in us your gifts of faith, hope,
and love,
that we may grow in faith and in numbers,
proclaim the hope that is in us,
and love you in serving our neighbours;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
The Lord’s Prayer
Looking for the coming of the Kingdom, let
us pray [with confidence] as our Saviour
taught us:
Our Father…
The Conclusion
Let us go forth from this place
to embrace the future with confidence,
and let us bless the living God:
Blessed be God, our strength and our
salvation
now and forever. Thanks be to God.
Amen.
5
Some material in this Service is copyright © The
Archbishops’ Council 2005: Common Worship Daily Prayer
and © 2010: The European Province of the Society of St
Francis: The Daily Office SSF
Suggestions for Hymns and Other Resources:
Hymns:
 All my hope on God is founded
 Be still for the presence of the Lord
 Brother, Sister, let me serve you
 Father, I place into your hands
 God is working his purpose out
 He who would valiant be
 Lead us, heavenly Father, lead us
 Lord, for the years
 Nada te turbe (Taize chant)
 Now thank we all our God
 O Lord my God
 One more step along the world I go
 Onward Christian pilgrims
 Take my life and let it be
 Through all the changing scenes of life
 Thy hand O God has guided
6
 Will you come and follow me
 You shall go out with joy
7